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Public Health Department,
92, Bath Road,
Hounslow.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Heston and Isleworth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1961.
The birth rate is the highest recorded since 1948, but is still well below the
national rate. Just over 70 per cent, of these births occurred in hospital and the
pressure on maternity beds continues to be high. The proportion of illegitimate births
has shown a slow but persistent rise in recent years. The still birth rate was also
higher than in 1960
The death rate shows little change from year to year and continues below the
national level. Two-third's of the deaths occur in persons aged 65 years and over,
and the chief causes are cancer and degenerative conditions associated with age. Of
'preventable' deaths, the largest group is still accidents, and if this loss is to
be reduced, increasing care and vigilance in home and factory and on the road is
needed Cancer of the lung still claims its victims in increasing numbers

These local figures show the same trend as the national figures
The recent report of the Royal College of Physicians has confirmed the previous
evidence of the close association between cigarette smoking and cancer of the lung
and the tobacco trade has produced no evidence to refute this. The consumption of
tobacco, especially cigarettes, is rising steadily and is encouraged by an ever increasing
advertising campaign Advertisements suggesting that cigarette smoking is a
sign of manliness and contributes to glamour seemed to be aimed specifically at the
young, in the hope of attracting them to the habit. There is evidence, however, that
many children start cigarette smoking before they reach the 'romantic' age. It is
necessary that school children and adolescents should be reminded continually of the
risk associated with cigarette smoking and every effort made to counter the effect of
the present widespread advertising of cigarettes. Established smoking habits are hard
to break, and everything should be done to dissuade children from starting the habit.
While the smoking of cigarettes remains socially acceptable, the young will follow
the example of their elders. Adults must face up to their responsibilities in this
matter
The infant mortality rate showed an increase over the rate prevailing in recent
years. This change was due almost wholly to a rise in the number of deaths occurring
under one week of age. These early deaths constitute the hard core of infant mortality
and their prevention is a problem facing all concerned
Apart from the high prevalence of measles, the Borough was relatively free of
infectious disease during the year. The number of infectious diseases against which
some protection can be offered is increasing and now includes smallpox, diphtheria,
whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis and tuberculosis. There are indications that
measles, influenza and the common cold may yet be added. The number of parents taking
advantage of these protective measures for their children is disappointing. The number
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